Heat insulation for containers



April 13, 1926.

L. E. COVER HEAT INSULATION FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 13 1926. 1,580,413

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Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES I 1,5 0,413 PATENT, oerce.

LESTER E. COVER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSI GNOB TO ARMSTRONG CORK COMPANY, OF YITTSBURGI-I, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

HEAT INSULATION FOR CONTAINERS.

Application filed October 9, 1924. Serial No. 742,601.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lns'rna E. COVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Heat Insulation for Containers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to the insulation of containers for the purpose of protecting them against loss of heat, and particularly to theinsulation of pressure stills, soaking drums andbubble towers employed in oil refineries.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an insulation construction, particularly adapted for containers of the character mentioned, that fits structurally; stands up under high temperatures, vibration and exposure; that is applied in a single layer; that allows ready access to rivet courses and that can be re-used with practically no loss.

The usual practice in insulating pressure stills and similar containers isto cover the body and heads of the still drum, including rivet courses, with a double layer of insulating material held in place by a system of wiring which permits the insulating material to sag down as the wires stretch, due to the weight of the insulating material and the expansion caused by heat. The inner layer is formed of a material having good heat resisting qualities but poor insulating qualities and serves as a protection for the outer layer which is formed of material which has good insulating qualities but poor heating .resisting qualities. some, laborious and expensive and necessitates cutting into and more or less damaging the main body of the insulation whenever it is desired to get at the rivets for caulking or repairs. Moreover, the insulation applied by this and other known methods cannot be taken off except when broken up and used as a cement. Usually it is a total loss.

By the method of the present invention, the insulation is applied in a single layer and is formed of blocks molded to fit the contour of the drum. Each block has its place in some one course on front or rear head, on body rings or over a rivet space. These blocks are constructed from a material which combines high heat insulating characteristics with ability to withstand high temperatures without deterioration.

This method is cumber I The blocks are not bent or broken in order to conform them to the. shape of the container to which they are applied but are molded to permit perfect contact with the metah 1 T An important feature of the invention is that the rivet spaces and welded joints are not insulated with the main portions of the heads and body of the container but are left open until leaks have had a chance to show and to be caulked. Cement is then put in flush with the tops of the rivets and courses of blocks are fitted between the main blocks heads. In applying these main courses, the

bands are secured to the angle clips so as to permit the blocks to be easily slipped into place under them and then the loose bands are tightened up, thereby drawing the insulation as a unit firmly into place. The blocks in the main courses over the body of the container have rabbeted edges providing overlapped joints both longitudinally and circumferentially of the container, so that no possible amount of circumferential or longitudinal espansion of the container can open up the joints. The longer circumferential bands are formed in two parts connected by take-up bolts and angle clips which, in case of expansion of the bandsdue to heat, serve to automatically tighten up the bands so as to always keep the insulation firmly held against the body of the container. I

With this method of insulation, when a still drum or other container is no longer fit for service, the insulation can be easily removed from the same by first removing the outside weatherproofing and cement finish covering the insulation,.slacking off the take-up bolts to loosen the bands and then slipping out the blocks from under the bands. With reasonable care in handling, practically the entire insulation will be undamaged and can be used again for insulating a similar container.

In theaccompanymg drawings, wherein I have illustrated my invention as applied'to the insulation of a horizontalpressure still:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the still, shown broken away intermediate its ends, protected with a layer of insulating material in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the insulation in section over the main portions-of the heads any bod of the container, some of the metal ban s being shown broken away and the rivet courses being left uncovered;

Figure 3 is a view looking at the front head of the still drum and showing a portion of the insulation in place on the head;

Fi ure 4 is a transverse section on the line IV- V of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on a larger scale through a head of the drum, illustrating the method of insulating the circumferential rows of rivets which secure the head to the body of the drum;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view, illustrating the method of insulating the circumferential rows of. rivets which secure two of the body rings together;

Figure 7 is a detall view, on a larger scale, illustrating the construction of the metal bands; V

Figure 8 is a detail view of one of the hook bolts em loyed for holding the main head rings to t e angle clips;

Figure 9 is a detail view of one of the hook bolts used for securing to the main head rings the metal bands which hold the head insulating blocks in position;

Figure 10 is a detail view illustrating the construction for ,holding the insulating blocks on the rear head;

.Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the head insulating blocks;

Figure 12 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the type of block used in the intermediate courses over the body of the container; and

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12, showing the type of block used in the end courses over the body of the container.

Referring to Figure 2, the reference numeral 2 designates the rings which form the body of the container and aresecured together by circumferential rows of rivets 3. The front and rear heads 4 and 5 of the drum are secured to the body thereof by the end circumferential rows of rivets 6. As is usual in stills of this character, the body of the .drum is provided with longitudinally extending angles 7 at diametrically opposite sides of the drum which arefas'tened to the brackets 8 by which the drum is supported (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4) and to bracket 8 adj acent the end of the body. Welded to these longitudinally extending angles are angle clips 9, Other angle clips 10 are welded to the body of the drum adjacent to and on op posite sides of the longitudinally extending rows of rivets 11 which extend through the butt straps 12. Still other angle clips 13 are welded to each head of the drum for holding the main head rings and angle clips 14 are welded to the front head for holding the inner head ring.

Figure 12 illustrates the type of insulating block 15 which is used in the intermediate circumferential courses 16 over the body of the drum.- These blocks are formed straight longitudinally and curved transversely so as to make an accurate fit with the metal of the body of the drum. The blocks have rabbeted longitudinal and end edges whereby the longitudinal joints be tween the individual blocks in a circumferential course and the circumferential joints between circumferential courses are overlapped, as will be apparent by reference to Figures 2 and 4. Figure 13 illustrates the type of block 17 which is employed for the end courses 18 over the body of the drum. These blocks differ from the blocks 15 in that they may be formed somewhat shorter and are not rabbeted at the end which lies adjacent the end of the body of the drum. It will be seen by reference to Figure 4 that the blocks 19 of the circumferential courses 16 and 18 which lie adjacent the angle clips 10 are not rabbeted at the longitudinal edges thereof which lie adjacent said angle clips. Furthermore, the blocks 20 of said courses which come adjacent the longitudinal angles 7 may or may not have their longitudinal edges adjacent said angles, rabbeted. In the construction shown, such edges are rabbetted to provide an overlapping joint at this point.

The courses of blocks 16 and 18 are held to the bod of the drum by fiat metal bands 21, 22 an 23 'and by angle bands 21, 22 and 23 at the ends of the body of the drum. In the construction shown, the longitudinal rows of rivets 11 and butt straps 12 are at the upper side of the drum so that the lower half of the body of the drum is not interrupted by a longitudinal seam. However, the nipples 24 to which the circulation pipes are connected come at the lower side of the drum and the bands 21 which come adjacent these rings may be fastened to said rings or may pass on opposite sides of the same. The bands 21, 21 and 21 are provided at their ends with take-up bolts 25 which 'tlips tion for the upper half of thedrum 1s apand are built up around the drum until the an 'les 7 are reached. The bands are then tightened up by means of the take-up bolts and nuts 26, thereby drawing tie insulation firmly into lace against the body of the drum. The ands 21 and 21 are made in two parts connected b take-up bolts 27 which cooperate with ang e clips 28 welded or otherwise secured to the ends of the parts of the bands. These angle clips and take-up bolts form a yieldin connection between the parts of the ban s whereby when the bands tend to expand under heat and pressure these connections serve to automatically contract the bands and hold the insulation firmly in place. These takeup bolts 27 also a 0rd means whereby the bands may be readily adjusted independently of the main take-up bolts 25 and nuts- 26.

The bands22, 22, 23 and 23 are riveted or bolted, or otherwise secured, at one. end to the longitudinal angles 7 and have angle clips 29 secured to the other end thereof. Take-up bolts 30 extend through the angle 29 and'the angle clips 10. .The insulaplied under the bands 22, 22, 23 and 23 in substantially the same manner as the insulation for the lower half of the drum. The

bands 22 and 22" are also made in two parts 1 connected by take-up bolts 31 and angle clips 32. It will be noted that in applying the insulation to the body of the drum as de scribed, the circumferential rows of rivets 3 and 6 and the longitudinal rows of rivets 11 are left uncovered. These rows of rivets remain uncovered a sufiicient length of time, which may be a month or more, for leaks at the rivets to develop and be caulked. Then these rows of rivets will be insulated, as will be hereinafter explained. I

Secured to the angle clips 13 of each head is a main head ring 33. These head rings are securely fastened to the angle clips 13 by means of hook bolts 34 of the character illustrated in Figure 8. The heads are insulated by blocks of the type illustrated in Figure 11 and which are formed as segments of a hollow sphere in case the drum heads have spherical outer surfaces as shown. In any case, the blocks are moulded to accurately fit the surfaces of the heads. The blocks which cover the rear head 5 are held in position by means of metal bands 35 (Figure 10), which are secured at one end to an in ncr ring 36, which is a floating ring, and at the other end to the main head ring 33. The

bands are secured to the main head ring by hook bolts 37 of the character shown in detail in Figure 9'. The hook bolts are hooked over the band and extend through angle clips 38 secured to one end of the bands 35. In applying the blocks to the rear head, several of the bands are connected to the float-- ing ring 36 and to the main ring 33, and

then the innermost blocks are a plied under the bands and then the blocks liuilt around these inner blocks and the bands applied until the head is completely covered. The bands 35 are then tightened up by means of the hook bolts 37 to firmly bind the'insulation against the head.

The front head 4 has an inner fixed ring 39 secured to the angle clips 14 (Figure 3). This ring extends around the manhole ipe 40. Bands 41 are connected at one en to the ring 38 and at the other end to the main head ring 33 by means of thehook'bolts 37. The blocks are applied to the front head in a similar manner as to the rear head.

After the circumferential and longitudina-l rows of rivets have been caulked, cement is applied to the rivet spaces to cover the heads of the rivets, as illustrated in Figures v5 and 6. The circumferential rivet spaces intermediate the ends of the drum are insulated by blocks 42 bedded in the cement and held in position by removable fasteners. As

illustrated in Figure 6, these fasteners may be in the from of round wirej clips 43 bentat their'inner ends to hook under the ends of the blocks of the adjacent courses 16 and bent at their outer ends in the opposite direction to engage over the blocks 42'. With this construction anyv individual block 41 can be readily removed by simply straightening out the outer ends of the clips 43. Any

other suitable fastening means may be employed for securing these blocks in place.

Over the longitudinal rows of rivets 11 and butt straps 12 are placed blocks 44 similar. to the blocks of the courses 16 and 18 but of less thickness than such blocks and having straight edges. The blocks 44. may be held in place'by means of wires 45 extending across the same and fastened at their ends to the angle clips 10. The blocks 44' are bedded in the cement which covers the rows of rivets 11 and outer butt straps 12 and they may be individually removed by simply ciitting the wires 45 which hold them in p ace.

The circumferential rows of rivets 6 which secure the heads to the body of the drum may be insulated by means of special blocks 26 and 27 which are bedded in the cement covering the rivets and which are held in place by wires 48 which may be laced around the main head rings 33 and through openings in the angle bands 21, 22 and 23*.

It will be understood that all of the insulating blocks-will be covered with an outer layer of cement and a layer of waterproofing mate rial. This outer coating is shown in Figure'5, in which reference numeral 49 indicates the layer of cement and the reference numeral 50 the outer waterproofing layer.

lVhile I have illustrated the invention as applied to a horizontal pressure still, it will be understood that the method described is I applicable to any other container. It will also trated and described, as changes therein mav be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of insulating a container having a rivet space, comprising covering a portion of the container adjacent said rivet space with a single layer of insulation consisting of preformed blocks, covering said rivet space with insulating blocks, and holding said last mentioned blocks in place by means permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing said insulating layer, substantially as described.

'2. The method of insulating a container having a rivet space,comprising covering a portion of the container adjacent said rivet space with a single layer of insulation consisting of preformed blocks, leaving the rivet space open for leaks to develop, caulking such leaks as may appear, covering said rivet space with insulating blocks, and holding said last mentioned blocks in place by means permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing said insulating layer, substantially as described.

3. The method of insulating a container having a rivet space, comprising covering a portion of the container adjacent said rivet space with a single layer of insulation consisting of preformed blocks, leaving the rivet space open for leaks to develop, caulking such leaks as may appear, placing a layer of cement'in said space, covering said space with insulating blocks bedded in said cement, and holding said last mentioned blocks in place by means permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing said insulating layer, substantially as described.

4. A container provided with a single layer of insulating material consisting of preformed blocks, and individual bands holding said blocks in place and provided each with take-up means, substantially'as described.

5. A container provided with a single layer of insulating material consistin of preformed blocks, angles welded to the ody of the container, and individual bands holding said blocks in place and secured at at least one end to said angles by take-up bolts, substantially as described.

6. A container provided with a single layer of insulating material consisting of preformed blocks, angles welded to the body of the container, and individual bands holding said blocks in place and secured at at least one end to said angles by take-up bolts,

certain of said bands being formed in a plurality of parts having their adjacent ends connected by take-up means, substantially as described.

7. A container provided layer of insulating material consisting of preformed blocks, angles welded to the body of the container, and individual bands holding said blocks in place and secured at at least one end to said angles by take-up bolts, certain of said bands being formed in a plurality of parts having their adjacent ends provided with angles-connected by take-up bolts, substantially as described.

8; In a container having a rivet space, a single layer of insulating material covering a portion of said container adjacent said space and consisting of preformed blocks,

with a single means holding said blocks in place, insulating blocks covering said rivet space, and

means holding said last mentioned blocks in place and permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing said first mentioned blocks, substantially as described.

9. In a container having a rivet space, a single layer of insulating material covering a portion of said container adjacent said space and consisting of preformed blocks, individual bands holding said blocks in place and provided each with take-up;means,.insulating blocks covering said rivet space, and means holding said last mentioned blocks in place and permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing said first mentioned blocks, substantially as described.

10. In a contaner comprising a body and a head secured thereto by rivets, a single layer of insulating material over said head consisting of preformed blocks, means hold ing said blocks in place, a single layer of insulating material over said body adjacent said rivets and consisting of preformed blocks, means holding said body blocks in place, insulating blocks cove-ring said rivets, and means holding said last mentioned blocks in place and permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing the blocks on said head or body, substantially as described.

11. In a container comp-rising a body and a head having overlapped edge portions and secured together by fastening elements extending through said overlapped portions, a single layer of insulating material over said head consisting of preformed blocks molded to fit said head, means holding said layer in place on said head and comprising a plurality of individual s aced radial bands provided each with ta e-up means. a single layer of insulating means on said body consisting of preformed blocks molded to fit said body, a plurality of individual bands holding said last mentioned layer in place and provided each with takeup means, insulating blocks covering said fastening elements, and means holdin said blocks in place and permitting rea y removal thereof without disturbing the blocks of either of said layers, substantially as described.

12. In a container comprising a cylindrical body and a head having overlapping edge portions, said head having a spherical outer surface and said body and head being secured together by a circumferential row of rivets extending through. said overlapping edge portions, a single layer of insulating material over said head and consisting of preformed blooks' molded to fit said spherical surface, means holding said blocks in place and comprising a ring secured to said head adjacent said circumferential row of rivets and a plurality of individual bands connected at one end to said ring and extending radially towards the center of said head and provided each with take-up means, a single'layer of insulating material on said body consisting of preformed blocks molded to fit the cylindrical surface of said body, a. plurality of individual circumferentially extending bands holding said blocks in lace and provided each with take-up means,

insulating blocks covering said circumferential row of rivets,,and'means holding said last mentioned blocks in place and ermitting ready removal thereof without isturbing the blocks on the body or head, substantially as described.

'13. In a container having a rivet space, a

covering of insulating material over a portion of said container adjacent said rivet space, said covering consisting of preformed blocks, insulating blocks covering said rivet space, and means holding said last mentioned blocks in place and permitting ready removal thereof without disturbing said first mentioned blocks, substantially as described.

14. A container having rivet spaces and protected over the body of the container and over the rivet spaces by insulation consisting of. preformed blocks held in place by means permitting ready removal of the blocks over the rivet spaces without disturbing the blocks over the body of the container, substantially as described.

15. The method of insulating a container having a rivet space, comprising covering a portion of the contamer adjacent said rivet space with insulation consisting of preformed blocks, leaving the rivet space open for leaks to develop, caulking such leaks as may appear, covering said rivet space with insulating blocks, and holding said last mentioned blocks in place by means permitting ready removal thereof Without disturbing such first'mentioned blocks, substantially as described.

In'testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LESTER E. COVER. 

